Perimenopause nausea?

[HJBeans]

I'm in the midst of investigations to check nothing more serious is going on, but have an array of symptoms which might be the start of menopause. The most bothersome is nausea like morning sickness. Has anyone had this and if so what helps to relieve it?

Also having GI symptoms, irregular periods and spotting, and hair loss. 5-day hormone test shows low estrogen and slightly high FSH indicating some degree of ovarian failure. Waiting on 21-day test, as well as scan, colonoscopy and gynae consult to rule out scary stuff. I'm 41.

Feeling extremely ground down by this, so any advice would be very welcome.

[Bananamanfan]

I'm 37 and going through similar. I need to make another gp appointment to check my hormones. Nausea, headache & dizziness were bad just before my period (which is currently on day 9). I'm fed up too.

[HJBeans]

Thanks for the reply and sorry you're there, too. How long has it been going on?

I've a hideous backache the last few days too. So far this is very much like being pregnant but with no purpose to the discomfort. Feeling much worse than in pregnancy at the moment and anxious on top of it until I'm sure this is peri and not anything else.

[Bananamanfan]

It's been going on for a few months, but worse this cycle. I agree it does feel like pregnancy. I also have constant low back ache, but hadn't really made the connection.
For a few months my periods have been taking longer to get going, but this one took 6 day from first spotting to heaviest flow. I also had an unexplained heavy bleed right at the end of a period. I do feel better on day 9 than i did earlier this week so hopefully you'll ferl better than now in a few days.
My gp referred me for a pelvic scan (reluctantly) as i was really worried about ovarian cancer, which my aunt had. It all looked fine.
Go back to the gp & be honest about any cancer concerns, your gp would need to refer you for a private scan, but if that is an option for you, i would take it to put your mind at rest.

[HJBeans]

I had a scan back in July after a few months of bloating and irregular bleeding - all clear. Symptoms abated over the summer but back much worse the last few months, which is when the nausea has kicked in.

Have had two cycles of only 14 days, with a more normal length cycle in between. Nausea was only bad just preceding last period, but has been bad and increasingly worse for last three days and now on day 15. Sort of hope to start soon to hopefully relieve the nausea - feel barely able to get on with the day.

Was referred to a GI consultant and actually off to another abdominal scan today. GI consultant said I should be seeing a gynaecologist, though, so that's scheduled for mid December.

[HJBeans]

Have you considered / would you consider HRT to manage your symptoms? If all comes back clear for me I'm really hoping this is an option as I can't imagine years of this. Also, at 37 is your GP concerned about damage to bones, etc.? Mine seem to think 41 is early and would recommend HRT.

[Bananamanfan]

That's a good point, thank for mentioning bones. It's something i'm worried about anyway, as my nan had osteoporosis and I have started having back & neck issues and I have lost an inch in height, worryingly.
I'm similar to you in that I'm so concerned that to get cancer ruled out that I haven't had time to discuss with gp some other issues that are everyday issues for me.

[Bananamanfan]

Sorry about the typos!

[Paperweightmover]

I had awful symptoms of nausea and passing out. Fortunately I was being looked after by a cancer unit anyway, so they did lots of tests to rule that out. It turns out I have low thyroid AND an autoimmune disease. The naseau stopped as soon as I started taking thyroxine.

Now a few years later I'm almost certain I'm in the peri menopause . I don't really want to go the the gp with yet another thing . I no longer go to the cancer care unit so I can't asked there either, they were very good about being holistic.

Anyhow might be worth checking thyroid function too, which I think links to peri menopause in some way I don't really understand . I don't think I'm correctly medicated for the low thyroid so don't know what symptom links to what causes.

[lovechocolate123]

Gosh sounds like me 2 years ago... started to feel nauseous all the time. Kept telling people it felt like morning sickness. Lots weight. Had endless blood tests, abdo ultrasound, blood test for ovarian cancer ( CA125) , endoscopy and colonoscopy. Found that I had gastritis and diverticulosis but don’t think this was the cause of the nausea. After time the nausea got better but began to realise that my cycle had gotten shorter and period much lighter. Also, noticed that I was getting more hairs growing on my chin ( not attractive I know! ) Still feel a bit nauseous mid cycle but not as bad. I am convinced it is to a symptom of perimenopause. All the tests etc... made me develop health anxiety. Ended up see a counsellor about it and had a course of CBT. Now when I feel a bit nauseous I take a spoonful of gaviscon double action and it seems to settle it.

[TonightYoureAStar]

Hi there, I just found your post when searching for perimenopaisal sickness, which is what I hope I’m suffering with - had terrible nausea for most of the past month, so worried, moods bad, gi problems, tired but can’t sleep - so worried, I’m 41, did your symptoms get resolved ?

[swingofthings]

I've had nausea, usually only mild and I think it just an outcome of the lightheadeness and dizziness that I get, but I've had a few weeks when I woke up so nauseous I had to wait a couple of hours to go to work. It never lasted more than a few days at at a time though. At the time, I really didn't understand what it was, but am now pretty certain it was indeed hormones related.

[IzzyB1]

Hello,I am 48,definitely in perimenopause,as i feel rotten and exhausted and angry such a lot of the time!..but recently i have started to feel as though i have motion sickness when i am not travelling or doing anything in particular.It happens suddenly and I can feel ever so poorly for quite some time.Has anyone else had similar experiences?

[kingfisher90]

Hi, I’m new here, I felt horribly sick yesterday and today, & with horrible back pain, I think I’m at the start of this journey. Irregular bleeding & utterly exhausted!

[endlessstrife]

Hi everyone, I’m new to all of this. I’ve been trawling emails to see if anyone is having problems with morning type sickness in menopause. I’m 60, and have knowingly been peri/ menopausal for about 3 years. No periods for almost 2 years. The ‘ usual ‘ symptoms have been intermittent over that time. I described it a bit like being on a roundabout, and spotting different things as you go round, they’re not all there all the time. Now I feel as if I may be emerging out the other side, but I keep getting episodes of what I can only describe as morning or travel sickness. It can last several weeks, and then I get a break for about the same amount of time. People have talked about nausea, but they seem to be referring to stomach problems and vomiting. Mine is literally my head. I feel like I’ve been on a boat or coach for hours. If I do travel, even driving myself, I feel worse. I have tried stemetil. One isn’t enough, and two knock me out. Betahistine seemed to work after taking it for a week, but it doesn’t now, which makes me think the first time I was coming out of it anyway. I’ve even tried Sudafed, in case it’s a sinus problem, but to no avail. Does anyone have any thoughts on this? Even knowing other people have it would help. Just to be clear, this isn’t a stomach problem, I’m never sick.

[whatisforteamum]

Hi I had this over two years ago.First I stated with dizzy spells so I stopped driving.Then came general anxiety so bad I could barely travel intermittent with a travel type sickness feeling!!.one day my th had to take me home when I had barely gone half way to the next town.
A bit like morning sickness or how I imagine travel sickness.GP thought it maybe my ears as I felt unsteady walking and I had had a flu type illness.I'm convinced now it was the start of the menopause.I'm never sick either.

[swingofthings]

@whatisforteamum, I could have written word for word your message. I ended up being referred to an ENT consultant and even an MRI, even though the consultant said it was more to reassure me.

No-one mentioned that this could be symptoms of the perimenopause. My periods were all over the place, but I had no hot flushes, didn't feel depressed, nor angry, the three symptoms I thought then were the main characteristics of it.

I now know that everyone experience the menopause differently, and sickness, dizziness, lightheadness and unsteadiness are definitely symptoms for some. What I did found was that my blood pressure and resting heart rate were very low, and I think that's how it affected me as the menopause affected my heart not by increasing activity but the opposite.

[LuckyElle]

Banamanfam ,
How about Oestrogel pump-pack 0.06 gel?
Is anyone on the gel? Does it help ?
My OB just recommended it to me .
His wife is on it too.
Better than patches.
He swears by it and says all his patients love it.

[Poppy237]

Yes .. myself also .. and on HRT the nausea has got worse ! Am on anti sickness meds but the first ones made me feel awful ..
Am seriously thinking to stop HRT now .. Cannot cope feeling so nauseous and washed out .
Have you managed to get any help with how you are feeling ?

[Poppy237]

Yes .. the nausea is awful .. it is the hormone imbalance + on HRT has made it worse ! Am on a second dose of HRT the gel + tablet .. only 0.5mg gel as before I was on the pump gel .. and wasn't feeling well on that either .
So ... Menopause is making me feel rubbish + the HRT is making the nausea unbearable + the low mood + anxiety levels jumping about !
Have you had any help ?

[Peggypop123]

Hi
Yes I have experienced all of this, it’s very unpleasant, starting to get me down!😟

[Bexyp45]

I haven't had too much nausea but instead I find myself suffering with acid reflux and heartburn paired with the oddest earache. I have tracked it to ovulation and menstruation so definitely hormone related. This, the mood swings, fatigue, aches, pains and general crappiness are making life very dull. Isn't it weird how hormones can have such an adverse effect on so much.

[Nicmarshmallows]

@Bexyp45 - exactly the same symptoms as I have had. The reflux was excruciating. I thought I was an anomaly! I've been on HRT (Evorel Sequi) for around 2 and half months and it does seem to have helped. Now I only get slight reflux and ear troubles in the second half of my cycle when I take the combined patches. Do you also have a tinnitus and blocked ear type of sensation? Also the other symptoms you mention have got much better since the HRT, and I know it takes 3-6 months to really take effect, so its quite a good start.

[Bexyp45]

@Nicmarshmallows I am so pleased to have found someone with similar weird symptoms. Like you, I thought I was on my own. In fact, I had started to think something else was wrong. I have also had the blocked ear thing recently. How odd!! I am lucky in as much that I haven't had any hot flashes or unusual periods. However, as I have had the Mirena coil for a few years now I think anything period related has been somewhat masked. I'm pleased to hear that your medication is beginning to take effect and the results are positive. I haven't felt the need YET to try meds, but I have tried to administer a strict diet and exercise regime. I think that has positive results but it's really hard to keep to especially as the hormonal rollercoaster can often cause crazy hunger and fatigue. I will just keep on going. Thank you for responding to my post, I feel 'normal' now. All the best 😊

[Nicmarshmallows]

@Bexyp45 I have researched this a little bit and essentially when oestrogen runs low, cortisol increases, which then has an impact on the digestive system and that's when you get symptoms such as bloating, indigestion, acid reflux, constipation, diarrhoea etc. and the same fluctuating hormone levels can affect your inner ear which would explain tinnitus, ear pain and the blocked sensation we both seem to have. Yes diet and exercise is crucial, even if you are on HRT or not. If you do decide to go down the HRT route, opt for patches if possible because they have less impact on the digestive system, because they pass directly into the blood stream and not through the stomach like tablets (which I started on and then transferred to the patches). Another benefit has been that the crushing fatigue and anxiety that I had has pretty much gone, and I am sleeping better. I've always been active and my weight has been steady, but strangely, since I started suffering from peri-menopause I've lost weight. However, I think the anxiety and reflux have had something to do with that - oh and I totally cut out alcohol for about 3 months.

I hope you continue to manage your symptoms, and hopefully the ears and reflux will settle. Let me know if you decide to take the HRT route, it would be good to know if your symptoms improve, or if they subside anyway.

[Bexyp45]

@Nicmarshmallows thank you so much for all of the information. I am boring my husband's ears off with all of these new found facts! 😸 I'm off strong coffee too as this causes me acid and I don't drink so that's not a problem for me. I will see how the next few months go, but you certainly have given me food for thought. Thank you